Security of Autonomous Systems Employing Embedded Computing and Sensors

TLDR

Embedded computing and sensor systems are integral to modern infrastructure, powering everything from jet engines to vending machines, and are increasingly critical in autonomous systems such as unmanned aircraft, ground vehicles, robotics, medical operations, and industrial automation, yet this dependence introduces new vulnerabilities that are only now being recognized as significant threats. The column aims to provide the latest insights into the technical challenges and opportunities related to securing autonomous systems from an embedded computing and sensor perspective. It does so by examining security issues through the lens of embedded computing and sensor technologies, highlighting both challenges and potential solutions.

Abstract

Embedded computing and sensor systems are increasingly becoming an integral part of today's infrastructure. From jet engines to vending machines, our society relies on embedded computing and sensor systems to support numerous applications seamlessly and reliably. This is especially true with respect to autonomous systems such as unmanned aircraft, unmanned ground vehicles, robotics, medical operations, and industrial automation. However, given society's increasing reliance on embedded computing and sensor systems as well as the applications they support, this introduces a new form of vulnerability into this critical infrastructure that is only now beginning to be recognized as a significant threat with potentially serious consequences. This column presents the latest insights on the technical challenges and opportunities associated with the security of autonomous systems from an embedded computing and sensors perspective.